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Gone Girl is all about the art of deception, particularly the disguises we show to one another under the guise of romance.

In the film, the lives of bittersweet lovers Amy and Nick Dunne (played expertly by Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck) get turned upside down when Amy suddenly goes missing, on a day that also conveniently coincides with their 5th anniversary. Based on the best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, the film closely follows the build-up and aftermath of Amy’s disappearance. Did she leave because she was increasingly feeling restricted by Nick’s controlling and authoritative personality? Did he hide her away so he could be closer with his family? Does he have the nerve to kill her? The film takes it time giving us answers, instead focusing on building a sinister atmosphere that culminates up until the disturbing moment of revelation. Along the way, veteran auteur David Fincher constantly plays his audience like a piano. Over the last decade or so, Fincher has made a name for himself by creating rich, textual story-driven film adaptations; he is at the top of his game here doing what he does best.

The mystery genre has become so conventionalized that audiences often find a predictable, safe-space. Here, Fincher intends to drag his audience out of that space, and he effectively does so through his pinpoint direction and storytelling skills. Gone Girl features some of the year’s best performances too. Rosamund Pike is by far the stand-out; her careful and meticulous acting gives us tremendous insight as her character evolves with each on-screen revelation.

It’s a fascinating, complex film that digs deep into the cynical truth of any relationship: the fact that we often hide things – from the world, our loved ones, and even ourselves – in order to save face and stay within our comfort zone. Despite a miscast Neil Patrick Harris, and ending that feels too hopeful to be satisfying, Gone Girl marks a high note in Fincher’s filmography, and will surely spark conversation long after the credits roll.

Rating : 9/10

Similar to: Side Effects (2013), Fatal Attraction (1987), The Social Network (2010)